DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 10/13/2006 Duedate: 10/26/2006
ARUAK CITY ARENA
DM-11 TURN-552
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
JEREMIAH JAY COOKE
GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
(11-6520) [22-12-2,155]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
JEREMIAH JAY COOKE SCARLET ROSE
GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253) STEEL AND SILK (584)
(11-6520) [22-12-2,155] (11-6801) [2-6-0,54]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
NATAS DESIGNATED SLACKER
DO IT AGAIN (565) GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
(11-6531) [14-10-0,98] (11-6786) [7-2-1,88]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
JGW EXPIRATION (572)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. LINDTAL (591) 41
2. STEEL AND SILK (584) 27 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
3. BULLDOGS (157) 27 Unchartered Team
4. JGW EXPIRATION (572) 24
5. GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253) 24 LINDTAL (591)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 0*LINDTAL (591) 4 1 1 80.0 1/ 5 JGW EXPIRATION (572) 12 3 0
2/ 2 JGW EXPIRATION (572) 64 26 1 71.1 2/ 3 BULLDOGS (157) 11 3 0
3/ 1*MILITANT LEGION (586) 18 8 3 69.2 3/ 2 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253) 9 4 0
4/ 3 COLORIFIC (511) 268 152 7 63.8 4/ 1*MILITANT LEGION (586) 8 4 1
5- 4 ANIMAL FARM (510) %1018 601 34 62.9 5/ 6 COLORIFIC (511) 6 6 0
6- 5*VOLTRON (589) 3 2 1 60.0 6/ 4 TUFT TUGGERS (305) 6 7 0
7/ 6 DO IT AGAIN (565) 44 32 1 57.9 7/ 9*STEEL AND SILK (584) 6 9 1
8/ 7 BULLDOGS (157) 885 673 28 56.8 8/ 0*LINDTAL (591) 4 1 1
9/ 9 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253) 742 708 21 51.2 9/10 KRILL CAVALRY (374) 4 11 0
10/11 TUFT TUGGERS (305) 688 662 23 51.0 10- 7 ANIMAL FARM (510) 3 1 0
11/10 SCARLET KNIGHTS II (507) 156 152 7 50.6 11-11*VOLTRON (589) 3 2 1
12/12 ELFQUEST (515) 252 288 12 46.7 12/ 8 SCARLET KNIGHTS II (507) 2 4 0
13/13 SCARLET KNIGHTS (375) 315 399 17 44.1 13/13 ELFQUEST (515) 2 10 0
14/14 KRILL CAVALRY (374) 276 514 5 34.9 14/16 DO IT AGAIN (565) 1 2 0
15/16*STEEL AND SILK (584) 10 30 1 25.0 15-12*THE RED HAND (579) 1 2 0
16-17*THE RED HAND (579) 2 8 1 20.0 16/18 SCARLET KNIGHTS (375) 0 3 0
17/19*ONE HIT WONDERS (588) 0 2 0 0.0 17/19*ONE HIT WONDERS (588) 0 2 0
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Chronicles of Andoria #5 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Aruak City, 10 years ago:
PART V
Torin climbed up the tree to get a better look at the circle of power. Inside
the circle, pointed ridges angled inward toward the sigil over which was scrawled a
weaving pattern of runes. The runes were fluid looking, kinda bubbly shaped.
Amorphous was more the right word.
I need to copy this, he thought to himself. I may not be able to recognize it,
but I know somebody who would.
Torin headed back to camp and grabbed some parchment and charcoal out of his
backpack. Cruising back over to the tree, he sketched out the runes under the
magic's own light. When he finished, Torin tucked away his sketch and hopped down
from the tree, making his way back to the camp.
Several hours later, Torin leaned over and shook Belana to wake her for her
watch, when a beautifully haunting voice tantalized his ears.
"T o r i n m y s w e e t, come to me...."
Belana rolled over. "Can't it wait another hour?" she mumbled. A minute
latter, when she got no response, she rolled over to look at her companion only to
find him nowhere to be seen. Belana sat up and tossed her blanket aside.
Where did he go, she thought to herself as she stood up and looked around. The
silence in the woods worked to her advantage as the sound of rustling bushes floated
to her ears.
Belana glanced to her right and spotted some movement which seemed to be heading
away from her, deeper into the forest.
She snatched her scimitar and trotted off in that direction. "Torin, you're
beginning to annoy me," she whispered to herself.
After blazing through a hundred yards of bushes and trees, Belana finally caught
up to Torin who had slowed his pace in an open clearing. But coming towards the
dwarf woodsman was a bluish-white spectral form which floated forward. The being was
a beautiful elvish woman with long flowing white hair and translucent diaphanous
robes which trailed behind her as if the wind were blowing. Her body was semi-
transparent and her voice was the embodiment of sorrow, tears instantly and
uncontrollably formed in Belana's eyes. She watched hypnotized as the spectral
maiden moved towards Torin. Belana noticed the ghost become opaque and that her
outstretched hand had begun to glow. Stealing her thoughts, the Lady Protector,
somehow, was instantly aware of Torin's danger, who just stood their as if waiting
for who knew what?
Belana jumped out and ran to Torin, shaking him violently. "Torin! Come on!"
He just stood there, his eyes glazed over. "WAKE UP! you stupid dwarf!"
Belana glanced back at the specter and screamed, as it had moved up quickly, its
hand outstretched, nails elongated into claws.
With a speed born of desperation, her scimitar flashed like lightning as it was
drawn and slashed in one beautiful movement, arcing across the specter's chest.
The banshee keened and wailed in agony like nothing heard before. Torin came
out of his daze as both he and Belana dropped to one knee, holding their ears as
their hearts raced, their blood practically boiling. Belana, quick witted and
decisive as she was, struggled to her feet, grabbed the still dazed dwarf, pulled him
to his feet and ran into the woods. The Lady Protector glanced over her shoulder to
see the Banshee turning back into non-corporeal form, its face melting away into a
horrid skeletal image with fangs, its robes becoming tattered.
Fear gripped her soul and she continued on into the woods with Torin, quickly
losing track of the Banshee. The dwarf was shaking his head and coming around when
the banshee's deathly wail echoed about them again. They both fell to the ground in
agonizing pain, both gripping their left arm.
The dwarf muttered under his breath, "A banshee. Any closer and we'd be dead."
As the two of them recovered, her keening changed tone and pitch. Torin grabbed
Belana's scimitar and slashed open a tree. "Put the sap in yer ears lass. It could
save you."
As they were doing so, they heard the distant baying of wolves, apparently
responding to the Banshee's call. The two of them looked at each other, both reading
each others thoughts. They ran.
* * *
Screwdriver glared quickly at Rabid Shrew, "Please, do not go there."
"Don't give me that look. I'm serious, it could be a rune." She smiled
broadly, "And that means danger. I think I like this."
Screwdriver shook her head slowly, thinking to herself, "What a nut!"
As their only option, they followed their new friend. He wasn't alone for long
however, for as he continued on, he acquired a companion. This new fella just
stepped up and fell in pace behind the guy they tailed, not even acknowledging him.
Screwdriver and Rabid Shrew followed them across town, while quietly commenting
on the strange, ugly features of the being who joined the first. Rabid Shrew even
pointed out that this guy didn't leave tracks in the dirt. They both increased their
tailing distance after that observation.
Crossing the Cat's Eye river in the far north-east of the city, they followed
the two men to a large warehouse on the wharf, which they entered through a small
door for personnel. Screwdriver, unwilling to enter through the door they did, had
them search for another way in. There was not a single window, not to mention the
only other door was the large one for shipments.
"Oh well, I guess we can't get in." Screwdriver quipped. "They locked the
door." She turned to leave.
Shrew grabbed Screwdriver, "I don't think so. We'll go in when they leave
through it."
Screwdriver sighed then shrugged and hesitantly said, OK.
After only five minutes, the normal looking guy they'd been following left...by
himself. Shrew leaped out and grabbed the door before it latched shut.
"What are you doing? I thought you said...."
"Change of plan." Shrew instructed. "Let's go."
Screwdriver took a deep breath, "Well, I asked for adventure...."
* * *
"This is really beginning to turn me off to adventuring," Belana commented
loudly in attempted humor.
She glanced back at the score of wolves rounding the trail bend behind them.
Luckily they hadn't seen "Her".
"Just find a good place to stop lass. Me short legs and endurance don't match
up to you." Torin glanced back as well. "I've never'a seen such huge wolves. We're
gonna have ta fight lass, unless we find shelter," he added, through each torturous
breath.
Belana rounded a corner, "Looks like you got your wish." She pointed, "A
cottage. I'll get the door." Belana sprinted ahead.
Torin reached into a pouch and grabbed a vial. He uncorked it as he ran,
grinning as he pulled out his only possible weapon, his carpenter's hammer.
Belana found the cottage unlocked, thank the gods, and flung the door open for
Torin who was lathering some kind of oil on his hammer. The two lead wolves were
nipping at his heels. One of them peeled off and leaped for Belana's throat. Ready
for a fight, she ducked under the wolf and slashed its belly open in mid-air, its
mass crashing into the log wall of the cottage. Instantly rolling to the side behind
Torin, she came to one knee and back-slashed with her scimitar, splitting the other
wolf's eyes open. Spending no time to listen to the wolves agonizing howls, she
turned to follow Torin through the door only then to recognize a black and purple
flash of light as he passed through. She hadn't the time to stop herself from
entering after him.
Torin had no sooner finished coating his hammer in oil, when he bounded through
the door, only to see its frame flash with magical runes. Torin fell onto the
cottage floor, writhing in seizures, as the magic constricted on his soul attempting
to crush the life out of him. Torin fought back mentally as his magically resistant
dwarven body turned against the magic.
He looked up in agony to see Belana leap through the door as a white light
flashed with a second set of runes. She spun to face the wolves and reached out to
shut the door, when she screamed. "I can't SEE!!"
Torin yelled back, pain in his voice, as another wolf came, "DUCK!!"
With the discipline and training that only a Lord Protector had, Belana
recovered, stepped into a fighting stance, dropped to her knees and slashed the
wolf's flank open. From the ground, she whipped her leg out in a sweep and slammed
the door shut, got up, and put her back to the door which started to rattle and thump
with the wolves' exertion. Belana reached over, felt around, and pulled the door bar
down, securing the entrance as Torin continued to fight the magic.
* * *
Shrew peeked over a crate and whispered, "I told you it was magic."
Screwdriver peeked up too and saw the disfigured man drawing runes in silver
dust around what appeared to be excavating equipment. "What do you think he's
doing?"
Shrew shrugged and continued watching.
"Well he's not sacrificing it." Screwdriver glanced at Shrew. "You can't
sacrifice equipment, can you?" Shrew shrugged again. "Maybe he's preparing to
transport it."
Shrew turned around, "Shh. Forget all that, this is the plan." Screwdriver
didn't like the look in Shrew's eyes. "OK, when he is drawing on the far side of the
gear, we sneak over and hide amongst the equipment. Then we go with it."
Screwdriver backed away shaking her head, "Uh uh. No way I'm going along. Are
you crazy?"
Shrew glanced over at the equipment, the being having gone around the back.
"OK, fine. Go report what you've seen. Gotta go." And with that, before
Screwdriver could object, Shrew jumped out and padded over to the gear and hid behind
a large crate.
The disfigured man appeared around the other corner and finished the circle. He
stepped inside, his eyes flashing red, and quietly began to intone some mystical
words. The circle and everything within began to blur and waver back and forth.
There was a flash of silver light and right before Screwdriver's wide eyes,
everything vanished into nothingness. Not even a grain of silver remained.
PART VI
Strome and Khazakh sifted through the bodies left in the wake of the blast.
Several of them were scorched beyond recognition, some of them being unrecognizable
because of metal slag fused with their faces. Apparently, however, the blast caused
no fire damage as another body was in excellent condition leaving aside the fact that
his heart was missing through a gaping hole in his chest. Another body, that of an
Aruaki werecat jaguar, suffered fatal wounds from concussive trauma and several
arrows protruding from random areas of his figure. That one was difficult to find as
the blast had torn up grass and dirt radially from a central point and dropped it all
over the scene, burying things beneath.
Strome knelt by ground zero and examined the small barren crater left behind
while Khazakh walked around sniffing the air. As a Minotaur, his sense of smell was
very keen.
"There are eight scents of beings here." Khazakh looked around, "We have yet to
find the other two."
He sniffed around some more, "One of them I know well. I can not place it."
Strome stood holding a small piece of some kind of thin rubbery substance. He
looked at it a bit more. It was skin colored and textured. He held it out to the
towering Minotaur, "I don't think we'll find much more of this person."
Then something groaned. They both heard it and turned to that general
direction. Khazakh stepped forward sniffing the air. As the bovine gladiator
searched, Strome heard the distinctive thunder of horses coming their way.
"CORCYTAR!" boomed the Minotaur, who swatted aside dirt and grass lake so many
flies to uncover the archer. The young warrior was lying face down, his bow and
arrows beside him, blood oozing from his ears and nose.
"Corcytar, you will wake up!"
Corcytar wiggled a bit and groaned, "Mmm...Skiana." Obviously dreaming of a
particular lady....
Khazakh rolled the little guy over as a squad of temple cavalry rode up, "Now is
not the time to dream."
With a snort, the tawny haired warrior awoke, "Hmm...huh...what?" He grasped
his ears, "Oh, ouch. Hey, hey. Easy with that slaying grip you man handling oaf."
Khazakh stood and faced Strome, who was briefing the guards at this point. "Our
friend," he said hesitantly, "sounds to be in perfect health."
Corcytar briefed his team mates in his own unique gibberish way, playing up his
role of course, on what had transpired.
Strome stroked his chin, "We'll need someone well versed in magic it appears."
"The Lady Steelwing is back at the house I believe," Khazakh noted. He then
paused in thought. "What about the stranger?" he added.
"Probably a lead. Somewhere to start."
The lead guard came over to the trio, who were sitting on the ground. He stood
over them and pointed at Corcytar's quiver and bow. "Are those yours?" he said to
Corcytar.
"You bet. Best you'll find...."
The guard interrupted him, "Corcytar Huntinghorn. You are under arrest..."
The semi-deaf warrior looked at the guard funny then stuck his finger in his ear
and wiggled it about, "What?"
"For the murder of Jharian Dellon, Champion of Demnat" the guard finished.
Corcytar's eyes widened.
Khazakh stood, towering over the other men, who instinctively drew back.
"Corcytar has NOT been identified as an assassin," he boomed.
The guard swallowed hard and looked up at the Minotaur, "His arrows protrude
from the Champions body. That is sufficient evidence to arrest him."
Strome stood and put his hand on Khazakh's arm, "He's right. Besides, I doubt
he did it and Adie will likely bail him out and petition his innocence." The stoic
glanced back at Corcytar. "Also, you'll get him out of your hair."
Khazakh raised a furry brow and gave a toothy grin. "Indeed. Let us go." The
two veteran warriors gathered their gear and left.
Corcytar bellowed at them as he was placed in manacles, "Don't leave me! Where
are you going? OUCH!, that's too tight you pea brain. Oh, you guys are gonna get
it. Do you know who you're messing with...?"
* * *
With her back to the door, Belana slumped to the floor exhausted. She could see
nothing but blackness before her, but her hearing was as sharp as ever. She could
hear Torin directly in front of her, babbling incoherently and writhing about. She
reached a hand out to him, "Torin? Torin, are you OK?"
The only coherent thing she heard come out of his mouth was the word "magic".
Belana, not knowing what to do, sat with her back to the door, bracing it against the
wolves and prayed for her dwarven friend.
* * *
Screwdriver ran out of the warehouse towards the bridge over the Cat's Eye. She
needed help, serious help. But where to get it, and how to get it fast. Her
thoughts wandered back to the warehouse. Why did Shrew have to do that? She shook
her head.
The little red-head warrior crossed the bridge like a fireball and began heading
for the barracks when she saw the Tuft Tuggers guild house. Weren't they looking
into this, she thought to herself. If they know what's going on, they might be able
to help. I'll stop their first, she reasoned. Screwdriver headed to the guild
house.
Lyssa closed her book and headed down stairs, "Hold your horses! I'm coming."
Someone was pounding on the front door quite excitedly. Lady Steelwing opened
the door, "Yes?"
A short, young, beautiful girl was standing at the door obviously out of breath.
She pointed at Lyssa, "You're a Tuft Tugger, right? Are you investigating magic
occurrences?"
The young lady was talking quite fast and Lyssa's best response was to nod a
lot.
"Some deformed guy took my team mate away. Can you help?"
Lyssa's eyes widened. Perhaps this was the break they were looking for. "Yes,
of course. Let me get some things and you show the way."
The girl looked relieved as Lyssa turned back into the house. She gathered her
blade and purse, quickly pulled her hair back, and they were off.
Screwdriver led Lyssa into the warehouse. On the way from the guild house, she
had learned that her new found helper was Lady Protector Lyssa Steelwing, who said
she had some talent with magic. All of this raised her spirits.
As Lyssa began to examine the floor, which Screwdriver had indicated upon
entering, she asked, "Why don't you tell me everything that led you up to this
point?"
As Screwdriver laid it all down, Lyssa cast a spell over the floor. It began to
glow, and an outline of the runes formed before them.
Screwdriver pointed, "That's it. That's what it looked like."
"We're lucky you moved so fast. That's the magical residue left behind. It's
almost gone." Lyssa proceeded to copy it down.
"So how do we get Rabid Shrew back?"
Lyssa examined the runes a bit more with an expert eye, then sighed. "We
don't."
* * *
The world beyond the circle shimmered and blurred into a gray mist. A white
tunnel of light burst open before her. Rabid Shrew, the deformed man, and the
equipment flew down the tunnel, and as quickly as it had started, the world faded
into view. Shrew peeked over the equipment and found herself in a cave lit by
torches of blue and red magical fire. There were a group of ten people waiting
beyond the circle. The deformed man stepped into view and waved a hand at the gear.
The men and women, all seemingly in a daze like the man she and Screwdriver had
initially followed to the warehouse, began to carry away the gear.
Shrew began to panic at first at the possibility of discovery, but there was
more gear than ten people could handle. They all left, their hands full, as the
creepy deformed guy led them down a tunnel. All alone, Rabid Shrew steeled herself
and climbed out of her hiding spot. She followed after the group and whispered, "No
guts, no glory."
* * *
Belana woke with a start. She hadn't realized she'd gone to sleep. Looking
around she realized she was still blind. The young woman brushed her curly brown
hair out of her face, took a deep breath, and got up to feel around.
It was apparently morning as the air wafting under the door was warmer. It was
eerily silent except for Torin's snoring. Oh, Torin!, she thought to herself. She
felt around for the dwarf and shook him. He was stiff.
"Torin, are you OK?"
The inventor groaned a bit and appeared to wake up, "Uh, what?"
"Are you OK?" she repeated.
"Um.. I guess so lass. I think I fought the magic of, but it left me paralyzed.
I can only move the muscles o me face."
"Well, I guess it could be worse. The wolves are gone, and the banshee appears
to have left us alone. I wonder why?"
Torin chuckled, "Cause you gave them a whoopin lass."
Belana laughed a little too. "Well, I guess so." She walked closer to Torin,
being careful not to step on him, "Help me out bud. See any food or anything
useful?"
"I can't turn my head to see around the rest of the room, but thes place appears
empty."
"Oh, great."
As Belana moved cautiously back towards Torin, a trap door opened up in front of
him with a loud creak. Belana stepped back and drew her blade. "What was that?"
"A trap door opened up lass. Someone's coming up." Torin squinted at the man,
"Ewe, he's ugly."
The disfigured man closed the hatch and stood straight, his eyes flashing red as
he took in the scene.
"I think we're in trouble lass."
"Talk to me Torin, I can't see."
"He's stepping towards you."
The creepy man walked towards Belana, totally ignoring Torin on the ground.
Then he chuckled and said in a broken voice, "My reward for your destruction will be
your souls."
At the sound of his voice, Belana gauged her foes location and leaped forward
into a lunge.
Torin watched with satisfaction as Belana's blade sunk into the man's chest.
When she pulled it free, however, the dwarf's heart sank as the black wound closed
almost instantaneously. The disfigured man lashed out at Belana's scimitar, sending
it clattering across the room. Before she could react, he leaped upon her, knocking
her to the ground. He pulled her to his body and put his mouth to her neck. Belana
screamed. Torin looked on, helpless, as tendrils of magic streamed out from the
man's body and began to envelope his friend.
Belana felt a piercing pain, her back arcing as the tendrils pulled at her soul.
She flailed hysterically, clawing at him in vain to break his grip. Belana felt her
strength ebbing under his magical draw when her hand automatically gripped something
laying on the floor. The end was heavy, the handle smooth. Acting rather than
thinking, the brawny young warrior tensed her muscles and lashed out with what was
Torin's carpenter's hammer. It struck her foe in the shoulder with impossible force.
Torin reflexively tried to turn his head as a shower of black gore sprayed
across his face. When he looked back, he saw the effect of his magical concussion
oil, which was what he had rubbed on his hammer. The being's arm lay on the ground,
twitching, with nothing left of his shoulder. However, the attention grabber was the
ribbons of energy gushing from the wound as if he were made of magic, not blood. The
"creature" had released Belana and retreated back from her, clutching its wound.
Torin suddenly found he could move again as the paralyzing magic began to loose
strength. Torin rolled over and grabbed the hammer from Belana's hand. The being
turned to him and pointed a finger.
The dwarf, with his foe looking as if to speak, didn't hesitate. He hurled the
hammer, weighted end leading the way. It impacted just under the nose. As the
demon's face caved in, there was a blinding light and a loud noise as the creature
exploded, bringing the cabin down with him.
SPY REPORT
It's me, The Unknown Spymaster here with my bag to give you the news on last
week's fights. Say good-bye to MILITANT LEGION, as they are pushed from the coveted
top team spot by the JGW EXPIRATION stable. For every winner there is a loser.
Speaking of losers, lets take a look at SCARLET KNIGHTS II, who went down to 8th from
12th. Life is tough. Coming up with a solid 5-0-0 outing, JGW EXPIRATION has
advanced 4 places in the rankings. Advancing in the rankings was TUFT TUGGERS who
went from last turn's 685-662-23, to this week's record of 688-662-23. LINDTAL seems
to have it's eye on the top team spot, and if they continue having 4-1-1 weeks they
may get it! Hey everybody, watch out for NATAS, who flew up 15 points in the
rankings after mashing TREESTUMP like a melon. Keep your eye on this guy. Ya know,
some days it doesn't pay to walk out on the sands. BARRICADE was overcame by WALK
THE LINE and drops 11 points. Unlike most arenas, JEREMIAH JAY COOKE managed to get
his challenge off against the 21-38-0 ROCKIE DEE. Well, everybody's pal JEREMIAH JAY
COOKE moved his record to 22-12-2 by defeating ROCKIE DEE in the Duelmaster's Title
Bout and gaining 10 recognition points. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but an
onion a day keeps T.P.s at bay.
Here is other news that is of note. And hey, kiddies, those of you who didn't
avoid MILITANT LEGION, please raise you hand. Wow. Does ARUAK CITY really have that
many liars? For those of you who like math, try this one: MILITANT LEGION + Weapons
That go Boom = BULLDOGS + Avoid City. Well dang howdy, but if challenges were votes,
PLATOON would be president. Although it may be a contest he doesn't want to win. In
a touching display by a 'touched' warrior, SCARLET ROSE went after FIREBASE, who was
higher by 24 points. Well, when the dust settled, SCARLET ROSE defeated FIREBASE.
Death is kind of like a new puppy: he's always around wanting to play. (Ha
Zontani, how's that for a wise saying?). Here's some advice: warriors with little
wit and will may encounter problems on the trail to the Isle.
I think I had better cut this one short. It's been nice chatting to those of
you whom I have not offended yet. Well, there goes another Spy Report. Good luck in
next week's fights. Hasta la bye-bye. (Loud choruses of 'Beat it, ya bum!')-- The
Unknown Spymaster
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JEREMIAH JAY COOKE 6520 22 12 2 155 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
YELLOW STREAK 6239 22 12 0 114 COLORIFIC (511)
ELINAE SILVERBOW 6646 13 5 0 107 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
-AIRK ARCSTONE 6778 8 2 2 105 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
TREESTUMP 6369 23 34 1 104 ELFQUEST (515)
-VIOLET VULTURE 6612 16 4 0 104 ANIMAL FARM (510)
BULL HORN 6593 18 9 1 103 BULLDOGS (157)
-TURQUOISE TIGER 6556 18 8 0 103 ANIMAL FARM (510)
NATAS 6531 14 10 0 98 DO IT AGAIN (565)
-TANGERINE TOAD 6603 14 3 0 91 ANIMAL FARM (510)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MAGENTA MAGGOT 6627 9 7 0 89 ANIMAL FARM (510)
KIRI DRAGONSPEAR 6643 12 7 0 88 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
DESIGNATED SLACKER 6786 7 2 1 88 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
SILVER LINING 6339 12 12 1 84 COLORIFIC (511)
-WHITE LIE 6659 9 4 0 84 COLORIFIC (511)
-CHOPSTICK SURGEON 6785 7 0 0 82 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
RICHARD HENDRIX 6672 14 4 0 78 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
WINDCHASER 6469 11 36 1 77 KRILL CAVALRY (374)
JON FLEET 6415 11 43 0 76 KRILL CAVALRY (374)
ARIES 6695 10 7 0 71 BULLDOGS (157)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ROD GRIZZARD 6673 12 6 0 60 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-KAELEN THUNDERHEART 6777 7 3 1 56 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
CHUCK DAVIS 6671 14 4 0 54 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
SCARLET ROSE 6801 2 6 0 54 STEEL AND SILK (584)
RON STEELE 6670 15 3 0 53 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
MAN'S BEST FRIEND 6694 14 3 0 53 BULLDOGS (157)
WOLFBROTHER 6706 9 9 0 53 SCARLET KNIGHTS II (507)
JUMPIN' 6704 9 9 2 46 SCARLET KNIGHTS II (507)
JEAN FELIX 6740 8 7 1 41 JGW EXPIRATION (572)
DAMASCUS 6798 2 6 1 39 STEEL AND SILK (584)
WALK THE LINE 6708 7 11 0 38 ELFQUEST (515)
DONALD DUNSEN 6787 6 3 0 37 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
DELIA'S GONE 6707 8 10 0 34 ELFQUEST (515)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
TWO-S0PEAR 6700 6 12 0 33 ELFQUEST (515)
KORO CLOUD 6618 3 24 0 33 KRILL CAVALRY (374)
FIREBASE 6817 5 1 2 31 MILITANT LEGION (586)
FLEA BAG 6804 7 2 0 30 BULLDOGS (157)
ONE-EYE 6711 5 13 2 30 SCARLET KNIGHTS (375)
-CARMEL CAMEL 6784 4 3 0 30 ANIMAL FARM (510)
BULL MARKET 6751 4 3 0 27 BULLDOGS (157)
BARRICADE 6819 5 1 0 26 MILITANT LEGION (586)
PLATOON 6829 4 1 1 26 MILITANT LEGION (586)
-LOUIE C 6532 5 4 0 25 DO IT AGAIN (565)
-TYRANNOSAURUS ED 6590 3 0 0 25 DO IT AGAIN (565)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-BLACK LION 6839 1 0 1 20 VOLTRON (589)
FIREWALL 6818 4 2 0 19 MILITANT LEGION (586)
VELVET FINISH 6800 3 5 0 19 STEEL AND SILK (584)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
GOLDEN GLOW 6803 2 5 0 17 COLORIFIC (511)
-CULHAN CARAND 6743 1 0 1 17 THE RED HAND (579)
PONY 6820 3 4 0 16 KRILL CAVALRY (374)
-TUCK PADWHIN 6747 1 2 0 15 THE RED HAND (579)
GADGET DIAL 6856 1 0 1 14 LINDTAL (591)
JACK DIAL 6854 1 0 0 13 LINDTAL (591)
COLD CAST 6802 1 7 0 11 STEEL AND SILK (584)
DEKLAN IRONMIND 6823 2 1 0 8 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
SIM DIAL 6855 1 0 0 8 LINDTAL (591)
-STU D. BAKER 6580 1 3 0 6 DO IT AGAIN (565)
-GREEN LION 6843 1 0 0 5 VOLTRON (589)
ALPHA DIAL 6853 1 0 0 5 LINDTAL (591)
GREEN THUMB 6830 1 2 0 5 COLORIFIC (511)
-YELLOW LION 6841 1 0 0 3 VOLTRON (589)
JESUS JONES 6834 0 2 0 2 ONE HIT WONDERS (588)
-BLUE LION 6842 0 1 0 1 VOLTRON (589)
GOOBER DIAI 6852 0 1 0 1 LINDTAL (591)
SURGICAL 6857 0 1 0 1 STEEL AND SILK (584)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
CONVICTED THIEF 469 0 1 0 1 GADGET DIAL 6856 552 NONE
SUPERFICIAL HITM 6844 0 1 0 GERFEL'S FRIENDS 253 BANDIT PRINCE 493 552 NONE
HARRY TOESTACK 6809 2 1 0 GERFEL'S FRIENDS 253 BLACK LION 6839 550
LEETAH 6710 6 9 2 SCARLET KNIGHTS 375 KAELEN THUNDERHE 6777 549
PALADIUM HAZE 6799 2 3 0 STEEL AND SILK 584 JUMPIN' 6704 548 NOT REVE
DAVEY JONES 6837 0 2 0 STEEL AND SILK 584 PLATOON 6829 551
PERSONAL ADS
Gerfel's Friends -- You're avoiding us? I've never challenged you, why would I?
Geez, talk about feeling the love... -- Tankesh
P.S. If you're thinking of my challenges to Armalias, that's different. He's
basically like one of the Commission employees, and he does nothing, no avoids, no
challenges. I need to keep the silly 'Larqs around here from getting their
challenges through for wins, so I do that instead.
Jeremiah -- That was totally weak! Not only did I have poor aim, but all the great
hits I had you managed to, unbelievably, suck up! Whatever, congrats, enjoy your
time up there. -- Elinae
Jumpin -- Sorry, had to go for the easy one and keep you out of the guns of the Larqs
around here. Thank you for all those skills! Tourney time! -- Kaelen
Barricade -- Ykcul! -- Donald Dunsen
Treestump -- I jumped you? I jumped you. Sweet. I think I'll take my skills to the
tourney too, I'm on fire. -- Airk
Yellow Streak -- Elinae wants to speak to you. -- Kiri
Yellow Streak -- DAMN right I do! You and all your scummy Consortium punks luckily,
somehow manage to keep avoiding me! You're PISSING ME OFF! I'm going to kick your
butt!! -- Elinae
Yellow Streak -- I thought you fought well, quite beyond my apparent skill. Well
done. -- Kiri
A gold eagle says some 'Larq is going to pop in this turn and dog on my team and my
record, when they haven't spoken since I destroyed the competition and took top team
for several turns! All you 'Larqs are sad, can't suck up a few losses when you're
having a rough time; but when things turn for a while for the better, the smack talk
comes back. Whatever.... -- Tankesh
P.S. I think you all know I'm basically talking about JGW the Silent.
P.P.S. Seraphim, just because you're quiet doesn't mean you'll escape. You're next
to get whupped!
P.P.P.S. Dang I love Aruak and its competition!
Kennelworth -- Slipping at 10-5? Please refer to my ad to you last turn.
Slipping.... <shakes head> -- Tankesh
P.S. Why the heck do you always refer to Adie regarding team issues? I'M IN CHARGE
HERE, BUDDY! GOT IT, OLD TIMER?!
Silver Lining -- Suck it up, silly boy. You're just another one of PPE's lame
gladiators because you have no sense of humility. Stop being proud, PPE is nothing
to be proud of. -- Airk
PPE -- Blah blah.... -- Tankesh
Q.O.W. -- Yes, when you train attributes, you earn skills just as you do when you
learn them. However, the skills only occur at specific break points (odd numbers for
everything but speed and constitution, the latter having no skills) and when you gain
them by training attributes, they count against the maximum of 20 that you can learn
in each skill category. These are called 'burnt' skills, which can only be re-
learned once your warrior reaches Primus. -- Adie
Adie -- Can you ask your author to send copies of those spotlights directly to
me? If the formatting problems are causes by HAL's inability to process curly
quotes, I should be able to de-curl 'em, which would save a lot of hassle come
proofing time.... -- Ed.
P.S. If you don't have my address, you can get it from the Scribe.
Michael Eldritch -- Yeah, that was quite a diplo, wasn't it? It's been a long time
since I've done one! Especially that big. -- Tankesh
P.S. You should see the tourney announcement with this turns results and newsletter.
It is generally best to run warriors in tournaments at the top of their category.
(i.e. Initiates is 5-10, so run a warrior who will be 10 FE at the time of the
tourney).
Rockie Dee -- A specific dragon killed off my family. The spear is the family
heirloom. I slew the dragon and took it back. I only have issues with the 'bad'
ones. -- Kiri, the not so social
Eldritch -- Tell my brother Curator (Smithsonians) "hi" in Arkers. -- Kennelworth
Rockie Dee -- Congratulations for your well-deserved trip to The Big Time. --
Kennelworth
Pony -- It is taking me less and less time. Did you notice? -- Bull Market
Two-Spear -- Two-Minutes? I feel like "woofing"! -- Man's Best Friend
Chopstick -- Slimly lost? A loss is a loss is a loss. Salute. -- Aries The Lamb
Gerfel's Friends -- I do not blame you for avoiding those dastardly Tuggers one bit!
But don't you have amnesty? -- Kennelworth The Puzzled
Jeremiah Jay Cooke -- Duelmaster. Has a ring to it, doesn't it? Salute! DM's drink
free at The Bulldog Inn. -- Kennelworth, Proprietor
Lady Adie -- I am getting too old to be running from exploding buildings. But I'm
glad I did! I do like the new frizz to my hair, however. -- WOF
Damascus -- Well you showed me! I challenged and you whooped my flea-lined rump!
Well done! -- Flea Bag
Eldritch -- Yes, it looks like you did all you could to "sign up" for The Civil War.
Street Legal is running that event. My affiliate, The Consortium, expects to
participate also as Andorian. However, depending on the entrants from all three
teams, I do not know whom will be chosen to get to compete for their Regional Honor.
As to Tourneys such as Mail-Ins? Do try them out. There will be an all-arena
posting soon explaining how to/when for the appx Halloween Mailer. Be there or be
square. -- Kennelworth
QOW -- Michael -- certainly one can get a "rating" from a stat raise which also
increased skills. A skill is a skill is a skill--earned directly, via stat raise, or
using a potion. Skill ratings are merely impacted by the number thereof. --
Kennelworth
Health. Humility. Honor. -- Kennelworth
Jon Fleet -- The truth comes out in the end. -- White Lie, Proud Colorific
Hmmmmm, Cold Cast. Me good, you lose. -- Golden Glow, Proud Colorific
Kiri Dragonspear -- It was my complete pleasure to have blunted your spear and
thumped your ear! -- Yellow Streak, Proud Colorific
Tuck Padwhin -- You surely take a long time to plant a win. -- Green Thumb, Proud
Colorific
Elinae Silverbow -- Yeah, well, they were both nice, but your silver one was
obviously the better. -- Magenta Maggot
The Proud Colorifics are on the rise. I am back. 3-1! -- Purple People Eater, Proud
Colorific
Those looking for The critters of Animal Farm -- Be advised that three are "prepped
and the rest are resting. They will return...after the break! -- The Animal Farm
Scribe (for Mino)
Natas -- Aw, now, you don't REALLY want to do that again, do you? -- Rockie Dee
White Lie -- White you might be, you are not a LITTLE white lie and don't try to
pretend you are. You're a bloody great obstacle is what you are. -- Jon Fleet
Designated Slacker -- Look! Aren't you supposed to just stand around with your thumb
in your ear? Jumping out at me like that is in DIRECT contravention of your name! --
Windchaser
Chuck Davis -- Gods, I thought I was going to reach my expiration date any time
there! I definitely don't go for the long matches. -- Koro Cloud
P.S. Or the short ones.
Bull Market -- But I didn't want a bull. I wanted a cute little heifer. -- Pony
P.S. I'm not passe' if I can get around before the next curve. Watch my
acceleration!
Q.O.W. "Is it possible to achieve a rating by raising a stat?" Yes. -- Leeta
P.S. But not by every stat raise.
P.P.S. It's even possible for a gladiator to be "born" with a rating.
Militant Legion -- Might I have the honor of your name? You remind me of another
manager I know. -- Michael Eldritch, mgr. Steel and Silk
Flea Bag -- Two words: flea collar. -- Damascus
One-Eye -- Congratulations! You were my first. -- Scarlet Rose
Firewall -- I believe you need to work on your pain tolerance. -- Velvet Finish
Golden Glow -- Well, you made ME look the fool, didn't you? -- Cold Cast
14 September 2006
I am back in the arena and thinking back to those days in 1984 where I was a
novice and clueless manager.
Now, 22 years later it looks like I am an ancient and once again clueless
manager.
I am looking to recover some old warriors. Since none of them are Aimed Blows,
they are no threat to win anything. I just want to see how they turned out.
The Couatl 2-17
Madam Butterfly 20-701
Gypsy Moth 20-703
King Crab 21-1
Priestess Python 26-1388
Please contact me at DekeYoung@Comcast.net if you know about any of these ancient
warriors, or just want to bs about the old, old, old times.
25 September 2006
It is obvious that the Dark Knights wish to be shown the light. Allow me to step
forward and blind them with truth. YOU ARE WORTHLESS!!! The Dark Knights are so
afraid of the light that they hide behind their black armor and empty threats. It is
too bad they are unwilling to actually FIGHT us! I guess our natural light is too
bright for you all to face! Fear us, for we are here! -- Gemini Goldphoenix,
Overlord of the Avengers of Light!
5 October 2006
*Turf War IV Rules*
Everyone may participate; known alliances, new alliances, or temporary alliances
created to compete in the Turf War! However, to participate, each alliance must:
A. Announce the alliance and the Captain of the alliance in the North Fork (DM
47) newsletter.
Captains are responsible for:
a. verifying those who wish to participate under the banner of their alliance;
b. distribution of prizes should their alliance win the Turf War.
Managers must:
a. Submit one (1) RSI Roll-Up Gift Certificate to participate to:
Baphomet, mgr. Knights Templar (568), DM 47 -- North Fork, or
Rick Stringer
13 St. Michael's CT
Elkton, MD 21921
b. Announce their intent to compete with manager name, team name and alliance
they will be fighting under in the North Fork (DM 47) newsletter.
Rules:
1. No scoring will begin until a Gift Cert is received. No exceptions.
2. Before a manager can compete, he/she must declare and be verified by the
Captain of the alliance he/she has claimed for;
3. Only one (1) team per player may compete. NO multiple aliases please.
Violations will result in disqualification.
4. The contest will begin on the turn following the January F2F and run for 12
turns.
5. The turn a declaration and verification will begin the scoring process.
6. No declarations or verifications will be accepted after Turn 10 of the Turf
War 5.
7. For the purpose of scoring, I reserve the right to make all final decisions.
Scoring:
Win Loss Kill Die
Challenge +2 -2 +5 -5
Match-Up +1 -1 +1 -5
Bloodfeud +2 -5 +5 -10
Champion x2 x2 x2 x2
Downchallenge -10 xx -10 xx
Dark Arena +10 -5 xx xx
Special Scoring:
a. Each mention in the Spy Report is worth 2 points (team mentions only!)
b. Each Style Master is worth 2 points.
c. Duelmaster Throne is worth 2 points
Champions:
a. Champions may be declared, but are not mandatory. If declared, the Champion
must be in the Adepts or lower brackets on the turn they are declared
without having gone above the Adepts bracket at any time...including
transferred teams. (I'll be watching for this occurrence!)
Bloodfeuds:
a. Bloodfeuds count for all four (4) turns. However, the same warrior may not
be used all four turns. 4 turns means 4 separate warriors. A penalty of
-10 will be given to the team who violates this.
Special Conditions:
a. I reserve the right for all final decisions.
b. If I make a mistake, I'll multiply the points by 2.
c. If you claim I did, and *YOU* are wrong, I'll subtract points at the rate of
x10.
d. Each alliance begins with zero (0) points.
e. Dark Arena may be used on the first turn of every warrior with no penalty
(this means a warrior with 0 FE).
f. TVs won after the contest begins gain a 25 point one time score once the
tourney reports are posted in the NL.
g. TCs won after the contest begins gain a 50 point one time score with the
same conditions as noted for TVs.
h. NO switching alliance once verified by an alliance that a team has declared
for.
i. Only 7 teams are permitted per alliance for the Turf War 5.
PRIZES:
Turf Wars are a "Winner Takes All" type contest. All prizes and 100% of the RU
Certs will be given to the Captain of the winning alliance and it is his/her
responsibility to give these to the alliance membership.
I have requested from RSI the following:
a. renaming of the orth Fork (DM 47) arena;
b. renaming of Dark Arena Monsters;
c. known favourite rhythms for one warrior on each team of the winning
alliance. This warrior would be in the Initiates or above brackets on the
last turn of the Turf War (they must have at least one arena fight to
receive this award).
Baphomet, Host of TW5
Special Note: A downchallenge is considered from a higher bracket to a lower
bracket. Same bracket, more recognition points? Not a downchallenge!
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
SUPERFICIAL HITMAN was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
JEREMIAH JAY COOKE devastated ROCKIE DEE in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge Title duel.
SILVER LINING was handily defeated by ELINAE SILVERBOW in a 1 minute Challenge match.
NATAS won victory over TREESTUMP in a popular 1 minute master's Challenge brawl.
DAMASCUS was defeated by ROD GRIZZARD in a unpopular 4 minute Challenge match.
MAN'S BEST FRIEND unbelievably bested JUMPIN' in a 2 minute gory Challenge duel.
SCARLET ROSE devastated FIREBASE in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge match.
DONALD DUNSEN overcame PLATOON in a 1 minute Challenge fight.
BULL MARKET overcame VELVET FINISH in a action packed 4 minute Challenge melee.
GREEN THUMB was viciously subdued by PONY in a popular 2 minute Challenge duel.
JESUS JONES lost to COLD CAST in a 2 minute Challenge fight.
BULL HORN overpowered M. CHARDINEE in a 2 minute uneven match.
YELLOW STREAK outlasted DESIGNATED SLACKER in a exciting 12 minute one-sided fight.
KIRI DRAGONSPEAR bested ARIES in a crowd pleasing 1 minute conflict.
WINDCHASER demolished WOLFBROTHER in a 1 minute mismatched match.
JON FLEET was luckily beaten by RICHARD HENDRIX in a 3 minute master's conflict.
RON STEELE defeated KORO CLOUD in a 6 minute struggle.
CHUCK DAVIS won victory over TWO-S0PEAR in a exciting 5 minute fray.
BARRICADE slimly lost to WALK THE LINE in a unpopular 21 minute gory brawl.
DELIA'S GONE was beaten by JEAN FELIX in a exciting 1 minute match.
ONE-EYE was beaten by FLEA BAG in a 2 minute match.
GOLDEN GLOW was savagely defeated by FIREWALL in a unpopular 10 minute conflict.
DEKLAN IRONMIND luckily beat GOOBER DIAI in a 2 minute brutal beginner's fight.
ALPHA DIAL beat SURGICAL in a 2 minute beginner's fray.
JACK DIAL handily defeated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
SIM DIAL luckily beat MORDANT DESERTER in a 3 minute gruesome novice's fight.
GADGET DIAL executed CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY 14 TOTAL PARRY 100 - 46 - 0 68 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 6 AIMED BLOW 28 - 16 - 1 64 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 6 LUNGING ATTACK 36 - 37 - 6 49 |
|BASHING ATTACK 5 PARRY-RIPOSTE 19 - 22 - 2 46 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 4 STRIKING ATTACK 34 - 41 - 5 45 |
|WALL OF STEEL 4 WALL OF STEEL 13 - 19 - 0 41 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 BASHING ATTACK 20 - 32 - 1 38 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 3 SLASHING ATTACK 16 - 26 - 0 38 |
|AIMED BLOW 2 PARRY-LUNGE 8 - 15 - 0 35 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-STRIKE 11 - 22 - 0 33 |
Turn 552 was great if you Not so great if you used The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles: the fighting styles: top eleven warriors are:
AIMED BLOW 2 - 0 WALL OF STEEL 1 - 3 4 TOTAL PARRY
TOTAL PARRY 11 - 3 BASHING ATTACK 1 - 4 3 LUNGING ATTACK
PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 1 STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 5 1 AIMED BLOW
PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 3 1 STRIKING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 4 - 2 1 WALL OF STEEL
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 1 BASHING ATTACK
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
LUNGING ATTACK JEREMIAH JAY COOKE 6520 22 12 2 155 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
TOTAL PARRY YELLOW STREAK 6239 22 12 0 114 COLORIFIC (511)
AIMED BLOW ELINAE SILVERBOW 6646 13 5 0 107 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
WALL OF STEEL BULL HORN 6593 18 9 1 103 BULLDOGS (157)
PARRY-LUNGE KIRI DRAGONSPEAR 6643 12 7 0 88 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
STRIKING ATTACK DESIGNATED SLACKER 6786 7 2 1 88 GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
BASHING ATTACK ARIES 6695 10 7 0 71 BULLDOGS (157)
PARRY-STRIKE DONALD DUNSEN 6787 6 3 0 37 TUFT TUGGERS (305)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is NATAS 6531. The most popular warrior this turn was
DESIGNATED SLACKER 6786. The ten other most popular fighters were PONY 6820,
TWO-S0PEAR 6700, VELVET FINISH 6800, JON FLEET 6415, KORO CLOUD 6618, JEAN FELIX
6740, NATAS 6531, JUMPIN' 6704, COLD CAST 6802, and GOOBER DIAI 6852.
The least popular fighter this week was BARRICADE 6819. The other ten least popular
fighters were WALK THE LINE 6708, FIREWALL 6818, GOLDEN GLOW 6803, YELLOW STREAK
6239, ROD GRIZZARD 6673, DAMASCUS 6798, SIM DIAL 6855, SURGICAL 6857, ALPHA DIAL
6853, and DELIA'S GONE 6707.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
JEREMIAH JAY COOKE (11-6520) GERFEL'S FRIENDS (253)
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
ROCKIE DEE (11-6060) KRILL CAVALRY (374)